Pakistani woman Asia Bibi, who has been sentenced to death for blasphemy, says she was raped at the hands of her accusers.

This is what she told the Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, who visited Asia in prison two days ago, Fides reports.

Following their conversation, the governor said that the woman “signed an appeal of clemency to President Ali Zardari” and said that she affirms her story, which she will “personally report to the President.”

Bibi says she is innocent, but groups of Islamic fundamentalists have already threatened to kill her if she goes free, Fides says.

Meanwhile, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said he intends to issue a pardon for Bibi, Radio Vatican adds.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has also appealed for her release.

Speaking to Vatican Radio Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha of Lahore says Bibi’s case highlights “how dangerous (Pakistan’s blasphemy) laws are and how from something so small, such as an argument between a group of women, something so serious can take place”.

The Archbishop adds that the infamous blasphemy laws target all civil society as a whole; “since they were first introduced over 1000 cases have been reported"

However he adds, “there can be no comparison in how they affect the minorities. For example when a Christian is accused of blasphemy then his or her family and the entire Christian community often pay the consequences”, which can come in the form of discrimination, persecution and even violence.

Instead “when a Muslim is accused of blasphemy then he or she as an individual pays and no one else”.

A new order by the High Court makes it harder to discuss the controversial legislation and prevents the government from issuing a pardon for the convicted Christian woman. The appeal date against her death sentence has not yet been decided.

Lahore (AsiaNews) – On Monday, the Lahore High Court issued a stay order preventing any amendment to the blasphemy legislation until further judicial action. The petition calling for the order was filed by one Muhammed Nasir who claims that parliament has no right to amend the blasphemy law.

In its order, the court ruled that no bill regarding the blasphemy law could be presented until it delivers a verdict on the case. It also issued notices to the federal government for 23 December. It postponed the hearing of the petition filed for Asia Bibi’s pardon in the blasphemy case, although it did not set a date to hear the case.

In an earlier ruling, the court had stalled pardon moves for Asia Bibi, directing President Asif Ali Zardari and the Governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseeri to restrain from making any move to pardon the convicted woman until 6 December. Today, it decided to extend the stay order until 23 December.

Although the president was not made a direct party among the respondents, the chief justice categorically issued directions to the president saying, “No action shall be taken either by the president of Pakistan or anybody working under the authority of the functionaries performing duties under supervision of the governor of the Punjab.”

In the meantime, more and more people are joining the petition campaign launched by AsiaNews at salviamoasiabibi@asianews.it. So far, about 7,000 people have signed the petition online or on paper.

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Lahore High Court: no amendment to blasphemy law until Asia Bibi verdict

In Pakistan, the Lahore High Court on Monday issued a stay order preventing any amendment to the blasphemy legislation in response to a petition filed by a citizen. In its order, the court ruled that no bill regarding the blasphemy law could be presented until it delivers a verdict on the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death under the law.

Religious minorities say the law is often misused to settle personal scores.
The court also postponed the hearing of the petition filed for Asia Bibi’s pardon, but it did not set a date to hear the case.

Over the weekend, thousands of Islamists gathered in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, warning the government not to touch the country's blasphemy laws.

“The situation…is still hostile,” says Peter Jacob, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Pakistani Bishops Conference.

“There are civil society actors who are asking for repeal or amendment in the constitution,” he told Vatican Radio, “whereas the religious parties are asking not only death for Asia, but even to the extent that one of the clerics in Peshawar has placed an award money for anybody who kills Asia Bibi.”

In the meantime, Mrs Bibi waits behind bars for her hearing – which Peter Jacob says is not likely to be happen anytime soon.